White concocted the story of nine-year-old Nicole Walker, even writing a Bucket List of the many wishes and activities she would like to fulfil before she died.

He called for local people and businesses to donate to the cause in order to send the dying girl to the Nickelodeon Resort in Florida.

On a Facebook page called Nicole’s Hearts, Stars and Slime, there were posts from the “mother” of the dying girl which provided the public with regular updates of her cancer treatment.

There was even a Virgin Money Giving Page with a fake family photograph.

Members of the public contacted White with support for the fund-raising drive.

White runs Bare Feet Dance and Drama, which offers dance, cheerleading and gymnastic classes for young children at the Hermitage Leisure Centre in Whitwick.

Talking before the scam was uncovered, he told the Echo that the children at his dance class had sacrificed their own money, which had been put aside for a separate trip to Disneyland Paris, so that Nicole’s dream can come true.

On March 22, he announced on Facebook that Nicole had lost her battle with cancer.

CLIC Sargent, one of the leading cancer charities for children and young people, alerted the police with concerns over White’s activities.

A subsequent police investigation found that the family and Nicole didn’t actually exist.

White was later arrested and charged by Leicestershire Police.

The charge related to fraud.

Leicestershire Police told the Echo he was due to collect money from the sale of tickets for a charity dance show his dance group was putting on, but it did not go ahead.

Police also stated that it was their understanding that he did not raise any money from other fund-raising events that were supposed to happen.

A police spokeswoman told the Echo: “Walker is fabricated. It is not an actual name. It is false.”

He appeared at Loughborough Magistrates’ Court on June 15.

He admitted fraud in that he dishonestly made a false representation, namely to make a gain for himself and was handed a conditional discharge for two years, which means if he commits another offence during that period of time he could be sent to prison.

He was also ordered to pay £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service and a £20 victim surcharge.

Following the conviction a spokeswoman for CLIC Sargent told the Echo: “Our local fund-raising team identified some concerns and as a result notified the police.

“We are satisfied with the conclusion of the case.

“CLIC Sargent’s vital work to support children and young people with cancer is funded entirely on public donations. Any fraudulent fund-raising activity can damage the public’s faith in donating to charities.

“We have many fantastic supporters, including in the Loughborough area, who work very hard to fund-raise on our behalf and we hope local people will continue to support our vital work.”

In the past, White also contacted newspapers saying that he was raising funds for another nine-year-old girl from Castle Donington dying of cancer.

In 2013, he contacted local newspapers, including the Echo, with a story about a Jenny Howells.

He said the fund-raising was for cancer charity CLIC Sargent. The Echo published his appeal.

This week a Leicestershire police spokeswoman said of the identity of Jenny Howells: “We believe she was fabricated.”

This week the Echo approached White for a comment but he declined to speak.

HEARTBREAKING FACEBOOK POSTS FROM FAMILY THAT DIDN'T EXIST

THERE were regular posts from the family on Nicole’s Hearts, Stars and Slime Facebook page and Twitter account, even though they did not exist.

They included updates on the progress of Nicole’s cancer treatment and the fund-raising efforts to send the sick girl to Florida.

Here are some of the Facebook posts:

• “Could everybody please keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for Nicole as we received some awful news this afternoon. While Nicole was in hospital earlier this week the hospital ran a scan.

“Nicole’s chemo and radio therapy treatment has only made a small impact to clear the cells and the cancer has spread.”

• “I have shown Nicole all the get well messages I received for her.

“She has asked if I could say to everybody she is sorry she could not write individual thank yous to all of you and she hopes you all do not mind but to say one huge thank you to all of you.”

• “The children in the group have been raising money so next year they may be able to perform in Disneyland Paris and this evening they handed a cheque over to us which was the money they had raised so far to go to Disneyland to help with our fund-raising so Nicole can have her dream come true.

“We were very touched and even though we did not want to accept it everybody insisted.”

• “Poor Nicole will be kept in hospital an extra few days after she became very unwell. Keep Nicole in your thoughts and prayers.”

• “Please keep your fingers crossed tomorrow everybody for my daughter Nicole as she has her second chemo session. She is very brave but very frightened nine-year-old.”

• “Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Nicole’s gymnastics and cheerleading teacher – we are so lucky to have such a very kind teacher who thinks so much about his students and their families.”

• “We are really sorry to have to post that earlier this afternoon Nicole lost her battle with her illness.”

SHOCKING BUCKET LIST THAT WHITE SENT TO THE ECHO

ANDREW White told the Echo that the dying nine-year-old Nicole had created a Bucket List of everything she wanted to achieve before she died.

Here is the list that was sent to the Echo:

THE BUCKET LIST:

This is my bucket and wish list. I know this might not be possible but I hope these dreams come true for my family and my friends.

1. My mum and dad stay married forever

2. My mum and dad get to one day re-say their wedding vows in the Bahamas

3. My family and friends raise money for children who also have cancer and are less lucky than me

4. My family will always help people less lucky than me

5. My family and friends help to stop cruelty to animals and save animals who are endangered

6. All schools everywhere stop bullying

7. My cheerleading, gymnastic and dance friends still run the messy gameshow party to remember my best friend Jenny I was planning with them to raise money for children with cancer

8. My cheerleading, gymnastic and dance friends and Andrew my teacher find a new venue so they can carry on with their wonderful dancing and gymnastics

9. One day my friends get to dance at Disneyland Paris and get to perform their wonderful Nutcracker show somewhere

10. One day my dance teacher Andrew gets his dream to be a Disney Prince in the parade at Disneyland Paris (he is very kind and he helped my mum and dad and friends while I have been ill)

11. My mum and dad and I would love Andrew to write his book about his life

12. If I could have one dream come true for me it is my friends, my dance teacher and I go on CBBC show and be gunged and be sponsored to do it for children who are ill, or if we are very lucky to go to Florida with our family and go to Disneyland and visit the Nickelodeon Suites and get to be covered in green slime or go on the Norwegian cruise ship with the Nickleodeon shows and be slimed but again still be sponsored to raise money for children with cancer who are less lucky than me

If anything happens to me please do not be sad. I want all my friends and family to be happy forever.

I love you all, Nicole (age nine)

ECHO DISCOVERED PICTURES OF LITTLE NICOLE WERE FALSE

ANDREW White tried to dupe the media with his story about Nicole who wanted to achieve her Bucket List before she died.

The Echo became suspicious over a picture, which White informed us was a family photograph of Charlotte (mum), Peter (dad) and Nicole Walker (daughter).

The Echo’s investigation found that the picture appeared on a professional photography company’s website.

After the Echo approached the company they said that they were not aware of Charlotte, Peter or Nicole and that it was taken five to six years ago.

As the story progressed, the Echo found it increasingly difficult to reach the family, with most correspondence occurring through White.

White would not divulge details such as Nicole’s school or home address.

Echo reporter Matt Jarram kept in contact with White, calling for more pictures to be sent.

The next photograph was of Nicole having her cancer treatment.

The Echo received an email from “Charlotte”, Nicole’s mum, which read: “Nicole was rushed back into hospital during the weekend as she became very unwell but thankfully it looks like it was a bug she picked up but because of the leukaemia it made it a lot worse.

“Andrew said you asked for a couple more photos of Nicole which I have attached – one is of Nicole in hospital.”

The Echo’s investigation found that the picture was from The University of Colorado Cancer Center’s website, based in America.

It was taken in March 1985, and was of a girl cancer patient with no hair clutching at her teddy bear.

Meanwhile, White remained in touch with the Echo to raise the profile of the fund-raising, but we did not run any further stories and we built up a portfolio of White’s activities to accumulate evidence against him.

However, the police were building their own case. White was subsequently convicted.